Pomerene celebrates 75th anniversary in special way

By KELLEY MOHR
Staff WriterPublished: October 7, 2012 4:00AM

MILLERSBURG -- Pomerene Hospital is celebrating 75 years.

The hospital opened its doors to the Holmes County community in 1937. Named after Joel E. Pomerene, a doctor who devotedly served the Holmes County community until his death in 1863, the area's first county hospital formed when Pomerene's daughter, Jennie Pomerene Haney, set up a $10,000 trust fund in 1919 to be used to create a lasting tribute to her father's memory.

The first facility -- which included a six-bed women's ward, a three-bed men's ward, six private rooms, a three-bed obstetrical ward and a five-crib nursery -- has since grown to the full-service hospital it is today.

Today, Pomerene employes more than 350 staff members and a medical staff of 90, with more than 30 active physicians.

In recognition of its 75th year, Pomerene Hospital will hold an employee celebration day for those 350 members Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the Pomerene parking lot.

"You are all invited, we'd love to have you come out," said Craig Miller, executive director of corporate services at Pomerene Hospital, to the board of trustees on Sept. 27.

The event will feature a ceremonial flag-raising of a commemorative 75th anniversary flag. A celebration hog roast lunch for hospital staff and members, along with opportunities to win door prizes, will follow at 11:30 a.m.

Other events also will celebrate the 75th year, including a free health screening day and a kids' coloring contest held throughout Holmes County schools.

"We plan to send the coloring pages to the schools ... and ask entries to be turned in the first of November," said Rebecca Ragon, public relations and marketing coordinator at Pomerene.

Reporter Kelley Mohr can be reached at 330-674-5676 or kmohr@the-daily-record.com.